Respiratory Therapist Jobs in California
Respiratory therapist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in hospital systems, trauma centers, neonatal intensive care units, and home health networks, with openings at every level from new graduate to senior clinician and lead practitioner. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego account for the largest share of postings, where major employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and Dignity Health maintain consistent hiring demand. The most in-demand specialties are neonatal and pediatric respiratory care, critical care and mechanical ventilation, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 32+ Respiratory Therapist jobs
Facility Kindred Hospital Paramount
Req ID 556300 Post Date 06/19/2026
Description
Kindred Hospital Paramount and Acute Rehabilitation Unit (ARU) is 177-bed hospital. With 159 long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) beds, we offer the same in-depth care you would receive in a traditional hospital, but for an extended recovery period. Our 18-bed ARU is designed for people who have experienced the debilitating effects of an acute injury, impairment or illness and like the LTACH, we partner with your physician and offer 24-hour clinical care seven days a week so you can start your journey to wellness.
Job Summary
Responsible for administering safe and competent respiratory care as ordered per physician, monitoring mechanical ventilation, administering medications, patient assessment, understanding ramifications of hemodynamic monitoring, understanding blood work results, monitoring, teaching, and training.
Essential Functions
- Competent delivery of Respiratory Care procedures in all areas of the hospital as outlined in the Respiratory Care policies, procedures and protocols.
- Maintain accurate and complete documentation and charge capture of all Respiratory Care procedures. Develop, document and maintain respiratory care elements of the patient plan of care.
- Verify and initiate all physician orders for Respiratory Care.
- Demonstrate competency and working knowledge of all Respiratory Care instruments and equipment. Perform troubleshooting, problem resolution and proper disinfection/sterilization.
- Initiate, monitor and maintain oxygen/aerosol delivery devices and non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation devices.
- Perform effective airway management including oral/nasal airway placement, bag/mask ventilation, intubation and/or intubation assistance, emergent and scheduled tracheostomy tube changes. Demonstrate safe and appropriate suction techniques and use of artificial airways. Initiate and perform "CPR".
- Perform tracheostomy, endotracheal tube and oral care.
- Implement one way speaking valve trials per physician order.
- Assist physician with diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy procedures.
- Complete initial and ongoing decannulation risk assessments with appropriate interventions and documentation.
- Perform and document timely Spontaneous Breathing Trial assessments for weaning readiness. Initiate and advance mechanical ventilator weaning per protocol.
- Actively participate in the multidisciplinary early patient mobility program.
- Perform pulse oximetry and carbon dioxide gas monitoring.
- Perform arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling and analysis.
- Perform and document ongoing ABG analyzer quality control and maintenance as required.
- Perform and document patient and family teaching/education.
- Provide and receive accurate and complete patient handoff reports.
- Participate in department/hospital in-services, meetings, and patient care rounds.
- Notify immediate supervisor of changes in workload and patient acuity.
- Provide timely and accurate updates to healthcare team members and make recommendations for modification to patient therapy as clinically indicated.
- Assist in orientation and training of new employees/students, and precept new employees during orientation.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations
- Ability to work under stress and to respond quickly in emergency situations.
- Utilize appropriate interpersonal communication skills when interacting with all healthcare team members, patients, and their families.
- Understands principles of lifespan growth and development with the ability to provide care appropriate for the adult and geriatric patient population.
- Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team.
- Must have good and regular attendance.
- Must read, write and speak fluent English.
- Approximate percent of time required to travel: 0%
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Pay range: $28.56 - $36.22/Hr
ScionHealth has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit-eligible employees that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), FSA/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, and Wellness.
Qualifications
Education
Postsecondary (Cert/Diploma/Program Grad) from an accredited respiratory therapy program (Required) Or
Associate’s Degree from an accredited respiratory therapy program (Required)
Licenses/Certifications
RCP - Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner or comparable certification in the state of practice Upon Hire (Required) And
CRT - Certified Radiologic Technologist or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential Upon Hire (Preferred) And
BCLS - Basic Life Support Upon Hire or within facility-specified time frame (Required) And
ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support Upon Hire or within facility-specified time frame (Required)
Experience
1+ years related experience (Preferred)
Facility Kindred Hospital Paramount
Req ID 556300 Post Date 06/19/2026
Description
Kindred Hospital Paramount and Acute Rehabilitation Unit (ARU) is 177-bed hospital. With 159 long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) beds, we offer the same in-depth care you would receive in a traditional hospital, but for an extended recovery period. Our 18-bed ARU is designed for people who have experienced the debilitating effects of an acute injury, impairment or illness and like the LTACH, we partner with your physician and offer 24-hour clinical care seven days a week so you can start your journey to wellness.
Job Summary
Responsible for administering safe and competent respiratory care as ordered per physician, monitoring mechanical ventilation, administering medications, patient assessment, understanding ramifications of hemodynamic monitoring, understanding blood work results, monitoring, teaching, and training.
Essential Functions
- Competent delivery of Respiratory Care procedures in all areas of the hospital as outlined in the Respiratory Care policies, procedures and protocols.
- Maintain accurate and complete documentation and charge capture of all Respiratory Care procedures. Develop, document and maintain respiratory care elements of the patient plan of care.
- Verify and initiate all physician orders for Respiratory Care.
- Demonstrate competency and working knowledge of all Respiratory Care instruments and equipment. Perform troubleshooting, problem resolution and proper disinfection/sterilization.
- Initiate, monitor and maintain oxygen/aerosol delivery devices and non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation devices.
- Perform effective airway management including oral/nasal airway placement, bag/mask ventilation, intubation and/or intubation assistance, emergent and scheduled tracheostomy tube changes. Demonstrate safe and appropriate suction techniques and use of artificial airways. Initiate and perform "CPR".
- Perform tracheostomy, endotracheal tube and oral care.
- Implement one way speaking valve trials per physician order.
- Assist physician with diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy procedures.
- Complete initial and ongoing decannulation risk assessments with appropriate interventions and documentation.
- Perform and document timely Spontaneous Breathing Trial assessments for weaning readiness. Initiate and advance mechanical ventilator weaning per protocol.
- Actively participate in the multidisciplinary early patient mobility program.
- Perform pulse oximetry and carbon dioxide gas monitoring.
- Perform arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling and analysis.
- Perform and document ongoing ABG analyzer quality control and maintenance as required.
- Perform and document patient and family teaching/education.
- Provide and receive accurate and complete patient handoff reports.
- Participate in department/hospital in-services, meetings, and patient care rounds.
- Notify immediate supervisor of changes in workload and patient acuity.
- Provide timely and accurate updates to healthcare team members and make recommendations for modification to patient therapy as clinically indicated.
- Assist in orientation and training of new employees/students, and precept new employees during orientation.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations
- Ability to work under stress and to respond quickly in emergency situations.
- Utilize appropriate interpersonal communication skills when interacting with all healthcare team members, patients, and their families.
- Understands principles of lifespan growth and development with the ability to provide care appropriate for the adult and geriatric patient population.
- Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team.
- Must have good and regular attendance.
- Must read, write and speak fluent English.
- Approximate percent of time required to travel: 0%
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Pay range: $28.56 - $36.22/Hr
ScionHealth has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit-eligible employees that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), FSA/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, and Wellness.
Qualifications
Education
Postsecondary (Cert/Diploma/Program Grad) from an accredited respiratory therapy program (Required) Or
Associate’s Degree from an accredited respiratory therapy program (Required)
Licenses/Certifications
RCP - Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner or comparable certification in the state of practice Upon Hire (Required) And
CRT - Certified Radiologic Technologist or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential Upon Hire (Preferred) And
BCLS - Basic Life Support Upon Hire or within facility-specified time frame (Required) And
ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support Upon Hire or within facility-specified time frame (Required)
Experience
1+ years related experience (Preferred)
See All 32 Respiratory Therapist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Respiratory Therapist JobsRespiratory Therapist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Respiratory Therapist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Rady Children's Hospital11
- Kindred Hospitals7
- CommonSpirit Health3
- University of California - San Francisco3
- Lincare2
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services24
- Education6
- Technology & Software1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in respiratory therapist jobs across California.
- Active California Respiratory Care Practitioner license issued by the California Respiratory Care Board
- Registered Respiratory Therapist credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care
- Current BLS certification and ACLS certification for critical care positions
- Associate or bachelor's degree from a CAPRC-accredited respiratory care program
- Clinical experience with mechanical ventilation, arterial blood gas interpretation, and pulmonary function testing
- Experience in neonatal or pediatric respiratory care preferred for NICU and PICU roles
Respiratory Therapist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a respiratory therapist in California?
To practice as a respiratory therapist in California, you must hold an active Respiratory Care Practitioner license issued by the California Respiratory Care Board. Candidates must complete an accredited respiratory care program at the associate or bachelor's level, then pass the National Board for Respiratory Care examinations to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential before applying to the state board for licensure. California does not recognize licensure by endorsement, so all applicants must meet the state board's requirements directly.
How much do respiratory therapists make in California?
Respiratory therapists in California earn a median of about $104,820 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,010 for the lowest 10% to over $145,510 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire respiratory therapists in California?
Employers hiring respiratory therapists in California right now include Rady Children's Hospital, Kindred Hospitals, and CommonSpirit Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's large integrated health systems and academic medical centers tend to post the most consistently, given the state's scale and the high concentration of Level I trauma centers and specialty hospitals across its major metros.
Which California cities have the most respiratory therapist jobs?
The cities with the most respiratory therapist openings in California are San Diego, Redding, and Westminster. This distribution reflects where California's largest hospital campuses, trauma centers, and health system headquarters are concentrated, and in some cases where large employers in suburban or secondary markets have expanded their acute care or home health operations to serve growing regional populations.
Are there remote respiratory therapist jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Respiratory therapy is a hands-on clinical role that requires direct patient contact for nearly all core duties, so fully remote positions are uncommon. About 0% of respiratory therapist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those that exist tend to involve telehealth respiratory monitoring, case management coordination, or clinical education and training roles rather than bedside care.
How can I get hired as a respiratory therapist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to new-graduate respiratory therapist roles or respiratory care resident programs at large California health systems such as Kaiser Permanente and Dignity Health, which run structured onboarding for candidates without independent clinical experience. Completing your California Respiratory Care Practitioner licensure before applying gives you a clear edge. Candidates from adjacent roles such as respiratory therapy technician, pulmonary function technician, or EMT can also use that background to compete for entry-level openings in home health and outpatient pulmonary settings.
Where can I find and apply to respiratory therapist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to respiratory therapist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across hospital systems, home health agencies, outpatient clinics, and specialty care settings. Find the roles that fit your credentials and experience level and apply directly.
See All 32 Respiratory Therapist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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